The new face of large dams in the 21st century

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atal Ahmadzai

Alerted by increasing water insecurity and energy demand, countries, mainly in the Global South, are building dams of unprecedented magnitude. Hundreds of large dams (≥ 100 metres) have been constructed since 2000, with hundreds more under construction. Analyses of the physical attributes of these dams present a concerning image. While they create expansive reservoirs with large surface areas, they have inefficient surface area-to-volume ratios ('S2VR'). Their unprecedented size and the reservoirs’ expansive surface area, indicate severe environmental costs, mainly through ecological disturbances to the (riverine) aquatic ecosystems; and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Other ecological costs due to the larger S2VR include a high evaporation rate and compromised biodiversity of a wider area, both up- and downstream. The safety and environmental aspects of these large dams should be robustly scrutinised.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-28
Author(s):  
Mete Ozturk ◽  
Bahadır Dogan

Removal of the heat is becoming a vital issue for safer operations of today’s technological equipment. The necessity of heat exchangers is underlined at this stage for the sake of the emerging technologies, which are producing more heat than before by the increment of the higher energy demand during their operations. Several methods have been suggested to improve the efficiency of the heat exchangers in last decades by the researchers including the extension of the heat transfer surface by the larger surface areas surrounding the channels. In addition to this fundamental approach (extension of the surface area), alternate methods have been released too including the implementation of metal foams to the heat exchangers as for the extension of the surface. Keywords: Heat exchangers, surface extension, metal foams.


Author(s):  
M. Marko ◽  
A. Leith ◽  
D. Parsons

The use of serial sections and computer-based 3-D reconstruction techniques affords an opportunity not only to visualize the shape and distribution of the structures being studied, but also to determine their volumes and surface areas. Up until now, this has been done using serial ultrathin sections.The serial-section approach differs from the stereo logical methods of Weibel in that it is based on the Information from a set of single, complete cells (or organelles) rather than on a random 2-dimensional sampling of a population of cells. Because of this, it can more easily provide absolute values of volume and surface area, especially for highly-complex structures. It also allows study of individual variation among the cells, and study of structures which occur only infrequently.We have developed a system for 3-D reconstruction of objects from stereo-pair electron micrographs of thick specimens.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeongpil Kim ◽  
Jeong-Hyun Eum ◽  
Junhyeok Kang ◽  
Ohchan Kwon ◽  
Hansung Kim ◽  
...  

AbstractHerein, we introduce a simple method to prepare hierarchical graphene with a tunable pore structure by activating graphene oxide (GO) with a two-step thermal annealing process. First, GO was treated at 600 °C by rapid thermal annealing in air, followed by subsequent thermal annealing in N2. The prepared graphene powder comprised abundant slit nanopores and micropores, showing a large specific surface area of 653.2 m2/g with a microporous surface area of 367.2 m2/g under optimized conditions. The pore structure was easily tunable by controlling the oxidation degree of GO and by the second annealing process. When the graphene powder was used as the supercapacitor electrode, a specific capacitance of 372.1 F/g was achieved at 0.5 A/g in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte, which is a significantly enhanced value compared to that obtained using activated carbon and commercial reduced GO. The performance of the supercapacitor was highly stable, showing 103.8% retention of specific capacitance after 10,000 cycles at 10 A/g. The influence of pore structure on the supercapacitor performance was systematically investigated by varying the ratio of micro- and external surface areas of graphene.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Park ◽  
Gi Lee ◽  
Sang Hwang ◽  
Ji Kim ◽  
Bum Hong ◽  
...  

In this study, a feasible experiment on adsorbed natural gas (ANG) was performed using activated carbons (ACs) with high surface areas. Upgraded ACs were prepared using chemical activation with potassium hydroxide, and were then applied as adsorbents for methane (CH4) storage. This study had three principal objectives: (i) upgrade ACs with high surface areas; (ii) evaluate the factors regulating CH4 adsorption capacity; and (iii) assess discharge conditions for the delivery of CH4. The results showed that upgraded ACs with surface areas of 3052 m2/g had the highest CH4 storage capacity (0.32 g-CH4/g-ACs at 3.5 MPa), which was over two times higher than the surface area and storage capacity of low-grade ACs (surface area = 1152 m2/g, 0.10 g-CH4/g-ACs). Among the factors such as surface area, packing density, and heat of adsorption in the ANG system, the heat of adsorption played an important role in controlling CH4 adsorption. The released heat also affected the CH4 storage and enhanced available applications. During the discharge of gas from the ANG system, the residual amount of CH4 increased as the temperature decreased. The amount of delivered gas was confirmed using different evacuation flow rates at 0.4 MPa, and the highest efficiency of delivery was 98% at 0.1 L/min. The results of this research strongly suggested that the heat of adsorption should be controlled by both recharging and discharging processes to prevent rapid temperature change in the adsorbent bed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0001
Author(s):  
Ali Hosseini ◽  
Pim Van Dijk ◽  
Sofie Breuking ◽  
Bryan Vopat ◽  
Daniel Guss ◽  
...  

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Proximal fifth metatarsal fractures (PFMF) are among the most common fractures in the foot and can be categorized into three fracture zones [1]. To investigate the fracture mechanism of PFMF in different zones, a better understanding of the anatomy of the bone and its surrounding soft tissues is required. Both the plantar fascia (PF) and the peroneus brevis (PB) tendon insertions are at the base of the fifth metatarsal, and may contribute to the pathophysiology of PFMF. However, the role of the PB and PF insertions in the pathogenesis of PFMF remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to accurately define the footprint of the PB and PF insertions of the base of the 5th metatarsal in relation to the different zones of PFMF. Methods: 21 cadaveric fifth metatarsal bones were harvested from cadaveric feet. All bones were freed of any remaining soft tissue adherence, except for the PB and the PF insertions. Three reference screws with a diameter of 1 mm were placed and secured on each bone with 2 screws distally and 1 screw proximally for registration. All bones were CT scanned to create a 3D bone reconstruction. Next, the insertions of the PB and PF and the reference screws of each bone were digitized and then mapped to its corresponding 3D bone model. In order to describe the three different fracture zones of the 5th metatarsal, an established coordinate system was made for each bone to simulate separate fracture zones (Figure a) based on Lawrence guideline [1]. The shape, location and surface areas of both insertions and their relation to the different fractures zones were determined (Figure b). Results: The insertion of the PB was oval shaped and located on the dorsal side of the base, with a mean surface area of 88.1 ± 46.4 mm2. The PF was oval shaped and situated around the tip of tuberosity, with a mean surface area of 150.7±53.5 mm2. The PB insertion was present in zone 1 fractures in 100% (21/21) of the 5th metatarsal models and 29% (6/21) of the models for zone 2 fractures. The PF insertion was involved in 100% (21/21) of the 5th metatarsal models for zone 1 fractures and 43% (9/21) of the models for zone 2 fractures. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that the insertion of both the PB and PF are involved in all zone 1 PFMF and a significant percentage of zone 2 PFMF. The location of tendon insertions affect the forces exerted on the bone, which may indicate a relation of the insertions of both the PB and the PF with the fracture mechanism of many zone 1 and 2 PFMF. Moreover, in the treatment of these fractures, care should be taken to maintain or restore the anatomy of these insertions to maximize functional outcomes.


1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Nilo

Twelve young adult men with normal hearing and no history of ear disease took part in our study of the relation of vibrator surface area and static application force to the vibrator-to-head coupling. For vibrator surface areas of 1.125, 2.25, and 4.5 cm 2 coupled to the forehead under static forces of 150, 300, and 600 gm, monaural thresholds of bone-conduction hearing were determined at frequencies 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. With surface area constant, threshold improvement was frequency dependent. It decreased with increasing frequency until at 2000 Hz it was minimal. In contrast to this, with force constant, the influence of surface area was observed to begin at 2000 Hz. Preliminary study suggests this influence would extend to 4000 Hz. In view of the respective influence of application force and surface area to bone-conduction hearing, equating vibrator-to-head coupling on the basis of pressure (force per unit area), when there are two or more vibrators, may not represent an adequate control.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 2253-2264
Author(s):  
José Francisco de Oliveira Júnior ◽  
Pedro Henrique de Almeida Souza ◽  
Edson de Oliveira Souza ◽  
Mário Henrique Guilherme dos santos Vanderlei ◽  
Washington Luiz Félix Correia Filho ◽  
...  

The objectives of the study are: i) to evaluate the climatology of rain in Maceió based on observed data, with emphasis on climatic and environmental aspects and ii) to validate the precipitation product for the municipality. Data from 1979 to 2013 of the precipitation product CHELSA (Climatologies at High Resolution for the Earth's Land Surface Areas) were validated by rainfall data from the National Water Agency (NWA) from 1960 to 2016. Statistical indicators showed a high coefficient of determination and linear correlation between CHELSA and observed data (R2 = 0.80; r = 0.89) and the smallest errors (SEE = 6.58 mm and RMSE = 18.76 mm), therefore the CHELSA product can be applied in the region. The time series presented a period 1 (P1) - (1960 to 1989) with rainfall above the historical average and a period 2 (P2) - (1990 to 2016) with a significant reduction in rainfall. Observed data versus climatological normals showed a significant decrease in normal 1 (1961-1990) in the rainy season, while in relation to normal 2 (1981-2010) there was an increase in the months of February, March and April (between 10 to 20%) and October and December (between 5 to 15%). The spatial distribution of monthly rainfall via the CHELSA product showed the formation of a pluviometric gradient between the coast and the upper part of Maceió. The topography influences the rainfall regime in neighborhoods belonging to the administrative regions (AR) - (R4, R5 and R6) with the highest rainfall records. The ENOS phases are directly responsible for the variability of interannual rain, while the decadal variability corresponded to the PDO phase change and changes in land use and occupation in Maceió.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 90-95
Author(s):  
A. A. Воробьев ◽  
Yu. A. Makedonova ◽  
A. O. Solov'ev ◽  
D. Yu. D'yachenko ◽  
E. G. Bagrii ◽  
...  

Relevance. The currently available methods for measuring anatomical areas with irregular relief do not claim to be accurate and easy to use.The aim of the study was to develop a method for measuring the surface area of an anatomical region (substructure) with an irregular relief.Material and methods. There was developed an option to measure the surface area of an anatomical region (substructure) with a complex relief in patients with pathology of the maxillofacial region and perineum using realistic 3D modeling.Results. The principle of the developed method is that, firstly, it is necessary to determine the patient's "zone of interest", where it is planned to measure the surface area; after that, digital photographs of the defined area are taken to obtain a sufficient number of images from the maximum number of available angles using a template with predefined dimensions for scaling. Then the obtained photographs are processed in the program for the 3D model reconstruction, and a realistic 3D model that correctly repeats the relief of the "zone of interest" and guarantees measurements of the surface area taking into account all its individual features is obtained. The method has been tested in obstetrics and gynecology, dentistry, maxillofacial surgery.Conclusion. This technique has been proved to be simple, accessible, fast, highly accurate in measuring the area of anatomical regions with complex relief. At the same time, the investigated object does not need fixation and prolonged immobility. A digital optical device is used contactless, the fact being significant in situations where it is necessary to comply with the rules of asepsis and antisepsis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 717-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
BAOCHENG ZHU ◽  
NI LI ◽  
JIAZU ZHOU

AbstractIn this paper, we establish a number of Lp-affine isoperimetric inequalities for Lp-geominimal surface area. In particular, we obtain a Blaschke–Santaló type inequality and a cyclic inequality between different Lp-geominimal surface areas of a convex body.


1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1695-1701 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. C. Yates

The determination of the surface areas of zeolites is discussed. It is shown that it is incorrect to use the multilayer isotherm method of Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller for solids where only little more than one monolayer can be adsorbed, in cavities little larger than the adsorbed molecules. The areas of such materials can, however, be determined from the beginning of the linear portion of their isotherms (point B). In addition, X-ray spectra can provide an independent method of measuring changes in the surface areas of zeolites.


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